Design & Technology

It is our aim to equip young people with the skills necessary to take a proactive role in society. Pupils build their knowledge and confidence by creating innovative solutions to identified problems, considering both practical and aesthetic needs. Students will have an understanding of the impact that social, economic and environmental issues have on us and the worldwide community.

In Years 9 & 10 students who have chosen to specialise in D&T continue to develop their knowledge, understanding and skills through a wide range of practical tasks. The specialist materials taught are woods, metals, plastics, paper & boards but students are also introduced to electronics, textiles, CAD/CAM, systems & control and smart & modern materials.

Year 9 Projects	Materials	Practical Focus	Folder Focus
Linkage Toy & Blister Pack	MDF, Card, Polythene sheet	Cutting and enhancing MDF/Vacuum forming	Woods Theory /Mechanisms/ Legislation/ Purpose of Packaging/ Information on Packaging/2D Design/plastics theory
Key Hooks	Softwood & hardwood	Inlaying/Finishing Techniques	Quick sketching/fixtures & fittings/Finishes/Health & safety/Google SketchUp
Bridge Build	Paper & Straws	Teamwork/Constraints	Structures/Tolerances/Mechanical & Physical properties/data analysis
Chocolate Packaging	Card	Teamwork/Manufacturing in Quantity/Quality Control	Jigs/Templates/Formers/Manufacturing in Quantity/Production lines/Boards theory/Design Movements
Storage box/cabinet	MDF/Perspex/ Acrylic	Wood joints/fixtures & fittings/CAD CAM/layering acrylic	Client profile/3D Drawing/Orthographic Projection/Materials ordering/Knock down fittings/exploded views

Year 10 Projects	Materials	Practical Focus	Folder Focus
Pewter rings & packaging	Pewter/Styrofoam/Neoprene / Microfibre cloth	Casting/CAD CAM	Metals theory/Printing processes/Special printing effects/Fabrics theory/Anthropometrics/ Ergonomics
Upcycled clock	MDF/Mechanism/student sourced materials	Combining materials	Sustainability/Modern & Composite Materials/Adhesives
Pop-up Cards	Card/Smart Materials	Cutting and assembly of cards and boards	Card Mechanisms/SMART materials
Computer Control & Electronics	Electronic components. Microbit accessories	Creating sequence diagrams for computer control. Soldering	Basic circuits and components. Microbit.

Please click here to see examples of student work.

Considering a career in Design or Engineering? Click here to find out more information about our 'A' Level course in D&T.

Students start their Year 11 coursework at the end of Year 10, when the design briefs are released by the board. We use AQA for our examining board, specification: Design & Technology (8552)

Assessment criteria:

NEA (Non-Examination Assessment) 100 marks 50% of GCSE grade

Students produce a practical piece with a supporting folder of work. Students may specialise in the material of their choice when making their product. The majority of work is done within lesson time but aspects of the folder work may be completed at home. Folder work is completed electronically on a PowerPoint.

Written Examination (2 hours) 100 marks 50% of GCSE grade

A mixture of multiple choice, short answer, design and drawing tasks and extended answer questions, based on the core skills and knowledge, materials specialism and the design and make principles.

Useful websites:

http://www.technologystudent.com/

http://www.mr-dt.com/materials/main.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/resistantmaterials/

http://www.designinsite.dk/

http://manufacturing.stanford.edu/

http://www.neok12.com/Industry.htm

http://www.teachers-direct.co.uk/resources/quiz-busters/subjects/Design-and-Technology.aspx

http://www.the-warren.org/GCSERevision/resistantmaterials/GCSR%20Resistant%20Materials%20Quizzes.htm

AQA past papers and marks schemes can also be found on the Student Share (M) drive.